The Miami Dolphins decision makers pride themselves on having competition at every position because that's typically what brings out the best in each player, and the team.

While that goal hasn't fully been achieved yet (give it some time), there are some pretty good battles on the horizon.

Here is a look at the eight brewing battles heading into the team's offseason workout program and minicamps, which I'm told won't officially start till April.

I couldn't come up with 10 critical battles because I didn't want to water down this list by including:

Chad Pennington vs. Chad Henne (let's be real, coach Tony Sparano has already named Pennington his starter for 2009, and Pennington's viewed as the team's leader), and Ronnie Brown vs. Ricky Williams (for some reason Brown never looks special during practices or the preseason, but turns it on during the games that count. And he's also coming off a Pro Bowl season, so let's show the man some respect).

This is Allen's time to put up or shut up. He's got most of the ingredients needed to be an NFL starter: size (6-foot-1), ball skills (five interceptions), and athleticism. And he showed those skills off defending Lee Evans and Brandon Marshall decently last season. But the former first-round pick needs to gain the confidence of his third coaching staff, who has determined he's a cornerback and not a safety. Green, who was added as a free agent, has an experience edge considering he's started 33 games over the past four seasons for the Cardinals. He's also expected to be a a more polished technician than Allen, who will enter his second training camp at his new but old position.

The Dolphins coaches might prefer to invest in Merling more because of his age, but Starks is stronger, and was more effective last season in his production per snaps ratio. Starks didn't come here to finish his tenure in the NFL as a career backup. But Starks (29 tackles, three sacks, one interception) was also the primary nose tackle on third downs, so it might be a challenge for him to replace the departed Vonnie Holliday as the left side starting end IF the Dolphins don't draft another nose tackle.

It's uncertain if Wake, the CFL import, will immediately challenge Roth for the starting strong side linebacker spot, or if he'll be asked to serve as Joey Porter's understudy on the weakside. But considering the Dolphins desperately need to beef up the pressure applied to opposing quarterbacks it's likely that Roth's going to be put on the hot seat. However, last year was his first at his new position, and converted defensive ends usually blossom at their new position in the second season. So maybe the Dolphins' resident tough guy will contribute more than the 56 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles he contributed in 2008.

4. Jake Grove vs. Samson Satele… for the starting center spot

There likely won't be much of a battle here considering Grove was paid big bucks to serve as an upgrade for Satele, who struggled to generate much of a push at the center of the Dolphins' offensive line. But Satele has played every game the past two seasons, which is something Grove hasn't been able to do because of injuries. Could Satele prove he's a Samoan warrior, becoming stronger, and hold onto his spot? It might be possible if shoulder issues was the real problem.

Dolphins czar Bill Parcells called Thomas, the team's sixth-round pick last season, a "God send" because of the raw tools he showed off early last season, earning the starting right guard spot before suffering a foot injury in the season opener. Can Thomas pick up where he left off, or will the pack catch up to him. Ndukwe wasn't special last season, but he was decent, and has gained an experience edge on Thomas courtesy of 16 starts. The Dolphins' decision makers liked Berger enough to bring him here from Dallas, but the role he'll play hasn't been determined.

6. Ted Ginn Jr. vs. The field… for the No. 1 receiver role

The Dolphins' 2007 first-round pick led the team in receptions (61) last season, but the distinction had a lot to do with Greg Camarillo's season-ending ACL injury. Davone Bess outperformed Ginn once he became a starter. Ginn caught 18 passes in Miami's final six games while Bess, who caught 56 passes as an undrafted rookie, contributed 31 receptions during the same Camarillo-less span. Receivers usually get into a grove during their third season so maybe this will be Ginn's coming out year. Will he be a featured weapon, or a decent complimentary piece?

7. Rodrique Wright vs. Lionel Dotson…for the role as the fourth defensive end

This is a battle of former seventh-round pick, and it's likely the player with the most upside that gets into the rotation. I keep hearing Dotson is a load to block, but remains very raw. Last season Wright was used in a break in case of emergency role, but his size and skills brings value. Wright, who only dressed for last year's playoff game, contributed 37 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 2007 as an injury fill-in.

8. Patrick Cobbs vs. Ted Ginn Jr. …for the top kickoff returner role

The biggest mystery on this team - if not in the NFL – is why Ginn, a dynamic returner in college, has fizzled in that role in the pros. At one point we blamed it on the blocking units he had to work with in his first and second season. Then we got a glimpse of Cobbs as a returner in the Kansas City win last season and the blocking wasn't an issue for him. So what gives?

Are there any brewing battles I'm missing, and which position battles are you most intrigued by?

What other players on the roster need to be pushed by a draftee or two?

Comments (237 Comments)

I guess this is like two days old, but this kind of sums up what I’ve been saying about him and how he’s nothing really like Reggie Bush-
“Injury concerns may cause him to slip to the back of the first round, but Florida coach Urban Meyer called that prospect ludicrous.
“Does he get injured once in a while because he’s a reckless football player? Yeah,” Meyer said Wednesday. “Percy is as good as I’ve ever seen coming through tackles, and he’s reckless, and he’s only 195 pounds.”
I also read that he’s coming in for a personal workout with the Phins. The Jets are also bringing him in though, which would really piss me off.

Armando also said that we should sign Brett Favre last year. I’m not saying that he can’t research and get a scoop, but his opinions aren’t very well-grounded, they’re never big-picture, and sometimes they’re outright ridiculous. He writes stuff like the Favre article to sell papers through a headline, and that’s bush league and hacky.
And I don’t hate him, I just don’t go there anymore to read his stuff b/c why should I go to a supposed “knowledgable” source when I don’t think they know what they’re talking about?

Ginn is an EXTREMELY gifted returner!!! DOES anyone remember how long it was before our last punt return??? Oj Mcduffie. What about kick return??? We can’t have our #1 Wr returning Kicks. It’s the most dangerous of all positions for injury. Cobb is exciting and the #3 Rb I’d rather have him back there in case of injury. Oh yeah how many returns does Ginn have that have been called back because of penalty???

Regardless if the Dolphins do take Percy Harvin (which I think they would) at the 25th spot if he’s there (which I think he won’t be), he will be far and above the best and most talented player on the board, and also the player capable of making the biggest impact.

There are better picks for Phins than Harvin at #25, but we better hope the stinkin’ JESTS don’t get him.
Harvin and Washington will be a tough duo pain in the buttocks 2x per yr.
If Maulauga,Laurenitis or Matthews is not taken, moving Roth Inside is not a bad idea. He could be a moose inside with Wake and a draft pick working opposite JP at OLB. Scout.com is predicting S.Smith @ CB for the 1st pick….they may be right.

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
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OMAR KELLY was unsuccessful at achieving his childhood dream to become a super hero, so he figured he'd do the next best thing and become a journalist who fights against injustice, and searches for truth. After being bored to death reporting news and covering politics, he switched to sports.
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IZZY GOULD joined the Sun Sentinel in Feb. 2012 as a Senior Sports Reporter on the Miami Dolphins beat. He came to South Florida fresh off covering the University of Alabama football program, including its 2011 national championship team. More